‘Don't hand money to beggars - it kills them'

Police and Reading Borough Council launched an anti-begging campaign last year and since June 2004 the number of beggars has dropped from 23 to 11.

Most of those who left were drifters passing through town who were put off by the increased numbers of police on the streets and the public drinking ban, said Councillor Tony Page, the head of community action for the borough.

Those left behind what he described as a hardcore of drug and alcohol addicts who need help and not money.

The council and police have launched an alternative giving scheme for donations which can be made at Reading Single Homeless Project, the Civic Centre, Broad Street Mall and Central Library.

Cllr Page, who is also a town centre ward councillor, said: "The situation has undoubtedly improved and we get that anecdotally from feedback from lots of people.

"We have made progress but there is still more progress to be made.

"Some were quite literally passing through and we have now got the hardcore.

"I would not claim there has been a serious reduction in begging when it comes to that hardcore and that is now the group we are targeting.

"Virtually all of them have accommodation and dependency problems with drug addiction or alcohol addiction. They need treatment and not cash."

Under Reading's anti-begging strategy, people are given two official warnings before they are arrested. Those arrested are tested for drugs and efforts are made to divert them to treatment and help.

Town centre inspector Andy Bagnall said: "It must be remembered that the vast majority of people who beg have some sort of dependency and although it is always good to give, giving money directly to beggars on the street simply supports the drug industry and is killing through kindness.

"I would far sooner see people give to the alternative giving scheme than encouraging more people on to the streets of Reading.

"Reading is a safe place to work, live and visit and we can ill afford to encourage begging on our streets."

Nick Harborne, director of Reading Single Homeless Project in Merchants Place, said: "People should understand change given to beggars may feed a drug or alcohol habit.

"If you give your money directly to a charity such as Reading Single Homeless Project, you will know your money will be directly helping to provide the support people need to address their addictions."

Last Thursday Christina Wort, of Willow Street, Central Reading, was given an interim anti-social behaviour order which bans her from begging anywhere in England and Wales, sleeping rough in Reading, using or being in possession of drug paraphernalia and any behaviour likely to cause alarm or distress.

Wort, 28, has denied behaving in an anti-social manner and will appear before Reading magistrates next month.